Apparatus for wiping molten metallic coatings



Jan. 12, 1932. J. L. SHUELER 1,841,216

APPARATUS FOR WIPING MOLTEN METALLIC COATINGS;

Original Filed Nov. 24, 1930 L m, v MA X I 10 l /5 relate to means for the wiping and smooth- Patented Jan. 12, 1932 JULIAN I.. soIIUELEn, or xoxomo, INDIANA PATENT OFFICE ppH-caton med November 24, 1930, Serial- No. 497,891. Renewed October 19, 1831.

This invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of metallic coatings applied to metal bases by immersion in a molten bath, and has for its principal object the continuous wiping and smoothing of such coatings.

More specifically the present improvements ing of zinc coatings applied to iron and/or steel wir'e. It will be obvious that the invention is also applicable to metal coatings other than zinc, and also to metallic bodies other than wire, .which lend themselves to continuous coating processes from molten baths.

This invention has for a further object the elimination ofsolid wipers, such as those of the asbestos and charcoal types, also the elimination of heavily coated wasters or scrap, known in the art as reachers. Still another object of the invention is the acceleration of wire coating operations where coatings of the charcoal wipe type are desired.

Other objects and purposes of my'invention will appear hereinafter wherein, for purposes of clarity, I have confined the description to zinc coating of iron or steel wire. As a suggestive embodiment of the invention, I have shown in the accompanyin drawings an apparatus adapted for the wiping of metallic coatings, the several views being as follows:

Figure 1 which is a fragmentary vertical section through a tank containing a coating bath, shows a wire passing therefrom to be treated for the removal of adhering skimmings, dross, etc.;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in` plan of the treating mechanism, some of the refractory blocks being removed to expose the burners therebelow; o

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail in section on line 3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a slightly modified burner arrangement in which refractory blocks are dispensed with.

The wires to be treated according to this invention are first-passed through a molten.

bath A containing zinc or other metal suit- Vable material is secured in eac able for coating the surface of the wires under treatment. From the exit end of the bath the several wires B traveling in parallelism are taken, by preference over a roller 5 preliminary to being wound upon one or more reels'. It is between this roller and the coating bath that the several instrumentalities of my invention are located for applying to the wires while traveling between these points the wiping treatment which will now be explained.

For removing the grosser skimmings,

dross, etc., it is desirable to utilize a notched Bassum FOB WIPING MOLTEN METALLIC COATINGS parallel to each wire, and each` equipped with" a series of burner openings 11 which face toward the proximate wire. The several header pipes which are disposed in a common plane on one side of the wires are'joined to a connecting pipe 12 receiving fuel and pres sure from separate valve controlled supplly pipes 13 and 14 respectivel Suita valves 15'are provided by whic to control the gas or other fuel that is admitted to eacliv header pipe.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, I have provided a series of independently adjustable flame deilector refractory blocks 16, one for each of the burner o enings. As suggestive of a mountingfor t ese blocks, I have shown a frame 17 supporting a series of rods 18 extending transversely of the wireson a side thereof which is opposite tothe plane occupied by the several burners. Mounted to lswing on each of these rods are the refractory blocks, one arranged op osite each burner opening. Abushin 19 o suitblock and 19 l arranged radially with respect to the rod opening therein, so that an adjusting screw 20 which is threaded into the bushing may -present its acting end against .the rod to lock the block in a desired rotative position of adjustment. Each block face 21 confronting` the burner o ening is preferably concave a su gested in ig. 8. 1

y the arrangement described, I provide for the introduction into the several header pipes of an air or gaseous pressure together with a combustible gas or other fuel which may be burned at the openings. It is contemplated that the flames issuing from the burner openings shall be projected onto the immediately adjacent portions of the wire surfaces to enshroud the same, and also therebeyond to impinge against the concave faces of the refractory blocks from whence the flames are returned to im inge upon other portions of the wire sur aces. The force with which the flames are directed from the burner openings will depend in large part upon the strength and character of the blast used. By proper regulation of the valve controls at the pipes 13 and 14, the admitted quantities of fuel and blast, and the mixture of one with .the other, may be varied within considerable limits. The flames so directed against the coated wire surfaces provide what I shall term a flame wiper.

In the construction of Fig. 4, I have shown an arrangement which dispenses with refractory blocks, and inv lieu thereof utilizes supplementary flames which are directed upon the wires opposite thereto and to each other. In this example each header pipe 10 co-acts with a complementary pipe 10 having burner openings 11 which are staggered in relation to the openings 11 in1 the pipe 10. Two such complementary header pipes are arranged on diametrically opposite sides lof each wire with the burner openings facing `each other, but in staggered relation, as

Shown. In other respects both as regards their connections with a source of fuel and blast supply, and their impinging and enshrouding action upon the wires, the construction of Fig. 4 is the same as that pre- .viously described.

Acoating bath is to remove any remaining rough points and surplus of material on the wire coating, due, it is presumed, to maintaining the same in a fluid condition during the application-of this treatment, and to the force of impingement resulting from the flames being projected upon the wire. It will be noted that each wire is subjected to the action of a series of flames, contiguous or otherwise, extending for a desired distance along the line of wire movement. The number and spacing of such flames, and the extent of their disposition, may be determined according to what is found to be advantageous.

The refractory blocks cooperating with the flames may be turned to any desired angular position withV respect to the burner openings.

Xperience has indicated it may be best that these vblocks Vshould be so tilted as to face forwardly to a slight extent, i. e., in the direction from which the wires are proceeding. By so disposing the refractory blocks, the flames which impinge thereagainst are sent back to play upon the proximate wire surp faces angularly in the direction from which they are traveling. Where the refractory blocks are dispensed with, as in the construction of Fig. 4, the several flames playing upon each wire, are oppositely directed, and in staggered relation, so as to impinge upon separated portions of the wire surface to greater advantage.

The wiping treatment applied to the wire coating in accordance 'with this invention is advantageous in many ways. If the Wires be of small gauge and travel at high speed, then the intensity, or length, or both, of the flame wipers can be increasedto render the wire coating smooth and even; or if the wires be of heavier gauge, and slower in'their movements, I can retard the intensity or length of the flame Wipers to best meet such conditions. It is possible also to vary these combinations to produce a short intense acting flame, or a long intense acting flame, or vice versa, and to so regulate the iame as to project its zone of greatest heat against the wire surface. I have found it is possible within reasonable limits to vary the thickness of the coating on the Wire by suitable regulations of the flame wiper, but these combmations are so legion that it Iis manifestly impossible to do more than suggest some of them.

For example, a No. 121/2 gauge steel wire passing through my ame wiper for approximately three seconds will be completely wiped, and so also an eleven gauge steel wire traveling through the same flame wiper, but of increased intensity, will be wiped smoothly and evenly by the ames, I may also pass through the same flame wiper a No. 9 gauge wire, and wipe evenly and smoothly the coating thereon.

t is contemplated that each wire of a galvanizing unit shall be acted upon by a separate and individual ame wiper. Each flame is adjusted according to the gauge of the wire. the thickness of the coating desired, and the speed at which the Wire is traveling. Means may also be provided by which the llames, when once set, remain so subject to automatic control by which the intensit of the wiping a joint makes 'for extreme difficult ,often resulting in a break of the wire. Y ven when a solid wiper yields to permit passage of a joint, there is a considerable wire len h., Perhaps ten to fifty feet, :that is unwipe resulting in-the formation of a reacher With the wiper of this invention no -such problem is presented.

I have ascertained, furthermore, that by adjustment of my flame wiper, it -is possible to produce simultaneously light` and heavy coatings on the same coating unit with wires traveling at the same speed, or otherwise. In determining the osition and direction of the flame to be applied to the wire, satisfactory results are obtained if the wiperbe applied to the wire lshortly after it emerges from the coating bath, it being desirable in any case that the wiping action take place before the coating is solidified. The flame impingmg against the coating forces off the excess metal, the amount being regulated tosome extent by the velocity of the ame. It may be that this smoothing and evening action is caused to some extent by a circumferential movement which the flame imparts to the coating. Satisfactory results may also be obtained with the flame applied to the wire either at right angles, or angularly of its axis, and there is no seeming diiferenceexcept from an easier operating standpoint at whatever angle the Wire leaves the coating bath. The best results are obtained by so adjusting the flame wiper that the intensity of its heat is just insuliicient to burn the coating. Several small flames, rather than one large one, are preferred, the most desirable 'arrangement beingsuch that a solid sheet of flame -wiping the wire is obtained. The length of the wire flame need not exceed two feet in many cases. Due to the flexible control provided flor the wipers actin/g on each wire, it is possible to cause different weights of coating to be produced on wires of the same gauge at the same time on the same coating unit.

The essence of my invention resides in the controlled application of a hot fluid wiper, such as a flame, directed radially with force against each wire, with successive portions of the wire coating subjected to this action. As already indicated, the coating is'wiped while its solidifcation is arrested, and it is by proceeding in this manner that I am enabled to achieve highly satisfactory results by the use of this invention.

I claim: y

. 1. An apparatus for smoothing a'freshly applied molten coating Vto a moving wire comprising a plurality of'burnerl openings aligned upon one side ofthe wire, means for supplying fuel to the burner openings for producing flames issuing toward the wire for s impingement thereupon through an appreciable distance lengthwisel thereof, and a plurality of refractory means, one for each burner, mounted for independent adjustable movement on the opposite wire side and. .adapted to return the impinging flameback againstthe proximate wire side, the direction of each return Kllame being determined by the adjustment of the refractory means associated with the burner therefor. A

2,'In combination with the exit end of a molten metal coating bath, an apparatus for wiping` freshly appliedmolten metal coatings on a series of moving wires as they issue from the Bath comprising'a header pipe extended lengthwise of each wire and provided with burner openings facing laterally toward each Wire, means for Supplying fuel to each header pipe whereby llames may lissue from the burner openings toward the proximate wire for impingement thereagainst throughout an appreciable distance lengthwise thereof, and individual means associated with each header pipe for regulating the flames issuing therefrom whereby to control the wiping action on the wire coating under treatment.

3. In combination with the exit end of a molten metal coating bath, an apparatus for continuously wiping a freshly applied molten i metal coating on a moving body as it issues from the bath, comprising a burner having means positioned adjacent the body and on opposite, sides thereof, one element of said of travel of the body to direct a flame. with force over the entire surface of the body to uniformly treat it for an appreciable distance in the direction of its movement.

4. In combination with the exit end of a v means being substantially parallel to the line continuously wiping afreshly applied molten metal coating on a moving body as it issues from the ath, comprislng a burner element positioned adjacent the body and on one side thereof, flame defiecting means adjacent the body and in opposed relationship to the element, said burner element and flame deecting means extending for an appreciable distance in the direction of movement of the body for projecting a flame with force thereagainst to uniformly treat the same.

6. 1n combination with the exit end of a molten metal coating bath, an apparatus for continuously wiping a freshly applied molten metal coating on a moving body as it issues from the bath, comprising burner elements positioned on opposite sides of the moving body for an appreciable distance in the direction of movement of the body, said elements being substantially parallel to the line of travel of the body and having means for projecting flames in staggered relation- -ship upon the body to uniformly treat the Same.

' 7 In .combination with the exit end of a molten metal coating bath, an apparatus for continuously wiping a freshlyl applied molten metal coating on a moving body as it issues from the bath, comprising a burner having openings for projecting flames with force against the body, and refractory means opposite each opening and adjustably mounted to deflect the flame upon the body, whereby to uniformly treat the entire surface of the body for an appreciable distance in the direction of its line of travel.

8. In combination with the exit end of a molten metal coating bath, an apparatus for continuously wiping a freshly applied molten meta-l coating on a moving body as it issues from the bath, comprising means for removing the dross from the body, and burner means adjacent the dross removing means, said burner means characterized by an element extending for an appreciable dis-- tance substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the body andvadjacent thereto, and refractory means oppositely disposed to the element for deflecting the burner flame against thc body to uniformly treat it.

JULIAN L. SCHUELER. 

